Pharmaceutical composition container

ABSTRACT

The cleanliness when a pharmaceutical composition is swallowed is improved. A pharmaceutical composition container  10  is equipped with at least three spaces  30, 32, 34, 36  and  38  inside a container body  20 . The pharmaceutical composition container  10  is further equipped with a cover  22 . The portions  140, 142, 144  and  146  between two adjoining spaces are sealed. The portions  140, 142, 144  and  146  between two adjoining spaces open when force is applied from the outside of the pharmaceutical composition container  10 . At least one of the spaces is an apertured space  38 , which comprises an aperture  60 . A swallowing-aid substance  40  is stored in a swallowing-aid substance chamber  30 , which is at least one of the spaces. Pharmaceutical compositions  80  and  82  are stored in pharmaceutical composition chambers  34  and  36 , each of which is at least one of the spaces. Of the container body  20 , the portion forming the apertured space  38  is covered by a cover  22.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition container; morespecifically, to a pharmaceutical composition container so configured asto allow the improvement of cleanliness when the pharmaceuticalcomposition is swallowed.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent document 1 discloses a multi-chamber container. Thismulti-chamber container is so partitioned into a plurality of spaces asto enable the spaces to be interconnected with each other. The spacesare sealed in such a state that they can be interconnected with eachother by means of force applied from the outside. A granular agent isstored in a tightly sealed state in any of the spaces. A thick fluidsubstance is stored in a tightly sealed state in one or more otherspaces. After interconnecting the spaces with each other and gatheringand mixing the granular agent with the thick fluid substance, it ispossible to take out the mixture from a take-out port provided on any ofthe spaces.

According to the container disclosed in patent document 1, it ispossible to ingest a granular agent by means of an extremely simpleoperation. Moreover, according to the multi-chamber container disclosedin patent document 1, it is possible to significantly reduce theresistance of the patient towards taking the medication.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-234820

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, the invention disclosed in patent document 1 bears the problemthat it is highly probable that bacteria or other matter having anadverse effect on the patient enter the body of the patient when thepatient takes the granular agent.

The technical issue addressed by this invention is intended to solve theabovementioned problem, and the purpose of the invention is to provide apharmaceutical composition container that allows the improvement ofcleanliness when the pharmaceutical composition is swallowed.

Means for Solving the Problem

The pharmaceutical composition container of this invention is explainedin reference to the drawings. Note that the use of the referencenumerals of the drawings in this column is intended to facilitate theunderstanding of the content of the invention and is not intended tolimit the content to the scope indicated.

According to the aspects of this invention in order to achieve theabovementioned purpose, the pharmaceutical composition container (10) isequipped with at least three spaces (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) inside acontainer body (20). The pharmaceutical composition container (10) isfurther equipped with a cover (22). The portions (140, 142, 144, 146)between two adjoining spaces are sealed. The portions (140, 142, 144,146) between two adjoining spaces open when force is applied from theoutside of the pharmaceutical composition container (10). At least oneof the spaces is a apertured space (38), which comprises an aperture(60). A swallowing-aid substance (40) is stored in a swallowing-aidsubstance chamber (30), which is at least one of the spaces.Pharmaceutical compositions (80, 82) are stored in pharmaceuticalcomposition chambers (34, 36), each of which is at least one of thespaces. Of the container body (20), the portion forming the aperturedspace (38) is covered by a cover (22).

The portions (140, 142, 144, 146) between two adjoining spaces aresealed. When a force is applied thereto from the outside of thepharmaceutical composition container (10), the portions (140, 142, 144,146) open. By the opening of the portions (140, 142, 144, 146), theswallowing-aid substance (40) can be guided from the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber (30) to the pharmaceutical composition chambers (34,36). When the swallowing-aid substance (40) is guided to thepharmaceutical composition chambers (34, 36), the pharmaceuticalcompositions (80, 82) are mixed with the swallowing-aid substance (40).Thereby, when holding the aperture (60) against the mouth of a personand pushing out the swallowing-aid substance (40) and the pharmaceuticalcompositions (80, 82) from this aperture (60), a mixture of thepharmaceutical compositions (80, 82) and the swallowing-aid substance(40) will enter the mouth of the person and be swallowed. By the way, ofthe container body (20), the portion forming the apertured space (38) iscovered by a cover (22) before that portion is held against the mouth ofa person. Therefore, the cleanliness of this portion is maintained at avery high level. As a result, it is possible to improve the cleanlinesswhen the pharmaceutical composition is swallowed.

Further, it is preferable that the abovementioned cover (22) beintegrated with the container body (20).

Or, it is preferable that the abovementioned at least three spaces (30,32, 34, 36, 38) and the cover (22) be arranged so as to form one row. Inthis case, the apertured space (38) is disposed on one end of the row.The cover (22) is disposed on the other end of the row. The containerbody (20) and the cover (22) can be folded over, and folding over thecontainer body (20) and the cover (22) brings the aperture (60) and thecover (22) into a state of facing each other.

Moreover, it is preferable that the encapsulating items (42, 44) bestored in the abovementioned pharmaceutical composition chambers (34,36). In this case, at least the surface of the encapsulating items (42,44) melts in the ingredients of the swallowing-aid substance (40). Theencapsulating items (42, 44) contain the pharmaceutical compositions(80, 82).

When the swallowing-aid substance (40) is guided into the pharmaceuticalcomposition chambers (34, 36), at least the surface of the encapsulatingitems (42, 44) melts in the swallowing-aid substance (40). Thereby, whenholding the aperture (60) against the mouth of a person with swallowingdifficulties and pushing out the swallowing-aid substance (40) and theencapsulating items (42, 44) from this aperture (60), the encapsulatingitems (42, 44) will enter the mouth of the person with swallowingdifficulties while being enclosed in swallowing-aid substance (40). Atthis time, the surface of encapsulating items (42, 44) has melted. Theencapsulating items (42, 44) can easily be swallowed even by a personwith swallowing difficulties because the encapsulating items (42, 44)are enclosed in the swallowing-aid substance (40) and the surface ofencapsulating items (42, 44) has melted. This means that thepharmaceutical compositions (80, 82) are also swallowed with theswallowing of the encapsulating items (42, 44). However, thepharmaceutical compositions (80, 82) in the encapsulating items (42, 44)do not scatter until the encapsulating items (42, 44) have sufficientlymelted. Moreover, by enclosing the pharmaceutical compositions (80, 82)with encapsulating items (42, 44), it is possible to reduce the residualquantity of the pharmaceutical compositions (80, 82) inside thepharmaceutical composition chambers (34, 36).

According to the other aspects of this invention, the pharmaceuticalcomposition container (351) is equipped with a plurality of spaces (370,372, 374) inside the container body. The container body is provided witha predetermined aperture part (394), wherein an aperture is to beformed. The aperture is opened when force is applied to thepharmaceutical composition container (351) from the outside, therebyinterconnecting the outside of the pharmaceutical composition container(351) with the space. The portions (390, 392) between two adjoiningspaces of spaces (370, 372, 374) are sealed. The portions (390, 392)between two adjoining spaces of spaces (370, 372, 374) open when forceis applied from the outside of the pharmaceutical composition container(351). A swallowing-aid substance (40) is stored in a swallowing-aidsubstance chamber (370), which is at least one of the spaces. Apharmaceutical composition is stored in pharmaceutical compositionchambers (372, 374), which are at least one of the spaces. The containerbody can be folded over. The pharmaceutical composition container (351)is further equipped with a cover (378). The cover (378) is disposed soas to adjoin the container body. The cover (378) is integrated with thecontainer body. The cover (378) allows pulling out or inserting theportion (354) of the container body which is provided with thepredetermined aperture part (394). The portion (354) which is providedwith the predetermined aperture part (394) is covered by the cover(378).

Effect of the Invention

According to this invention, it is possible to improve the cleanlinesswhen the pharmaceutical composition is swallowed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the pharmaceutical composition container ofthe embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 4 shows the production procedure for the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 5 shows the usage method of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 2 of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 3 of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 4 of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 5 of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 6 of this invention.

FIG. 11 is an external view of the pharmaceutical composition containerof the embodiment 6 of this invention.

FIG. 12 shows a state of the embodiment 6 of this invention wherein thecover insert portion is inserted into the cover and the base is on theoutside of the cover.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the state in the embodiment 6 of thisinvention wherein the cover insert portion is inserted into the cover.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 7 of this invention.

FIG. 15 shows the state of the embodiment 7 of this invention whereinthe pharmaceutical composition container is folded.

FIG. 16 shows the state of the embodiment 7 of this invention after oneend of the pharmaceutical composition container was inserted into thecover.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 8 of this invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross section showing one end of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container of the embodiment 8 of this invention during theproduction thereof.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one end of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container of the embodiment 8 of this invention during theproduction thereof.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer of the embodiment 9 of this invention.

FIG. 21 is an external view of the state of the embodiment 9 of thisinvention wherein one end of the pharmaceutical composition container isinserted into the cover.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following explains the embodiments of this invention on the basis ofthe drawings. In the following explanations, identical parts areassigned the same reference numeral. The names and functions thereof arealso the same. Accordingly, detailed explanations thereof will not berepeated.

Embodiment 1

The following explains the pharmaceutical composition container 10 ofthe embodiment 1 of this invention.

The configuration of the pharmaceutical composition container 10 of thisembodiment will be explained while referring to FIG. 1. Thepharmaceutical composition container 10 of this embodiment is equippedwith a container body 20 and a cover 22, which is integrated with thecontainer body 20. The container body 20 and the cover 22 of thisembodiment are formed by adhering two laminated members 50 to eachother. The laminated member 50 will be explained later.

The container body 20 is equipped with a swallowing-aid substancechamber 30, an intermediate chamber 32, a first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34, a second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36and an apertured space 38. The swallowing-aid substance chamber 30, theintermediate chamber 32, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 34and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 are so formed as tomaintain air tightness with respect to the external space around thepharmaceutical composition container 10.

The cover 22, the swallowing-aid substance chamber 30, the intermediatechamber 32, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 34, the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36 and the apertured space 38 are soarranged as to form one row. As is obvious from FIG. 1, the aperturedspace 38 is disposed on one end of that row. The cover 22 is disposed onthe other end of that row. FIG. 2 is a cross section of thepharmaceutical composition container 10 of this embodiment. In the modeshown in FIG. 2, the cover 22 can cover the outside of the portion ofthe container body 20 which forms the apertured space 38. This ispossible because the laminated member 50 of this embodiment can befolded over.

The items stored in the swallowing-aid substance chamber 30, the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 36 are explained while again referring to FIG. 1.

A swallowing-aid substance 40 is stored inside the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 30. The swallowing-aid substance 40 in this embodimentis a sterilized jelly containing water. The water content of the jellyin this embodiment is established in such a manner that the followingrequirement is fulfilled. The requirement is that it must be possible toprovide at least two minutes from the time when the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 covers the surface of the first encapsulating item 42 andthe second encapsulating item 44, which will be explained later, untilthe time when the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44 completely melt.

A first encapsulating item 42 is stored inside the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34. A granular drug or another first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 is encapsulated inside the first encapsulating item 42.The material of the first encapsulating item 42 in this embodiment is awafer which is made of starch and has a thickness of 15 μm.

A second encapsulating item 44 is stored inside the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36. A second pharmaceuticalcomposition 82 is encapsulated inside the second encapsulating item 44.The second pharmaceutical composition 82 is a substance of a type thatis different to that of the granular first pharmaceutical composition80. The material of the second encapsulating item 44 in this embodimentis a wafer which is made of starch and has a thickness of 10 μm. Theopenings of the first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulatingitem 44 are sealed by the twisting of the portions corresponding to theinlets for the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82.

That a wafer is used as the material for the first encapsulating item 42and the second encapsulating item 44 is because the first encapsulatingitem 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 are required to have thefollowing function. The function is that, when the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 covers the surface of the first encapsulating item 42 orthe second encapsulating item 44, the surface thereof must start tomelt, and after the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44 are swallowed, the first encapsulating item 42 andthe second encapsulating item 44 must completely melt. That the waferused for the first encapsulating item 42 is thicker than the wafer usedfor the second encapsulating item 44 is because the time from when thewafer begins to be covered by the swallowing-aid substance 40 until thewafer completely melts is required to be set to a longer time for thefirst encapsulating item 42 than for the second encapsulating item 44.The reason for this requirement is that the first encapsulating item 42is covered by the swallowing-aid substance 40 earlier than the secondencapsulating item 44. That a wafer of a thickness of 10 μm is used asthe material for the second encapsulating item 44 is in order to provideat least two minutes of time from when the second encapsulating item 44is covered by the swallowing-aid substance 40 until the secondencapsulating item 44 completely melts. Naturally, the thickness of thewafer should be selected as appropriate depending on the materialproperties thereof.

Note that, if necessary, a gas (for example, nitrogen gas) which doesnot have any effect on the first pharmaceutical composition 80, thesecond pharmaceutical composition 82 and the swallowing-aid substance40, is filled into the first swallowing-aid substance chamber 30, thefirst pharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36.

Further, the intermediate chamber 32 and the apertured space 38 of thisembodiment are empty chambers until the first weak seal 140 to fourthweak seal 146, which will be explained later, are broken. An emptychamber is a space in which nothing is stored, or in which a gas isstored that does not have any effect on the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80, the second pharmaceutical composition 82 or theswallowing-aid substance 40. The apertured space 38 comprises anaperture 60. The aperture 60 interconnects the outside of theswallowing-aid substance chamber 30, the intermediate chamber 32, thefirst pharmaceutical composition chamber 34, the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 36 and the apertured space 38 with the insidethereof. However, until every one of the first weak seal 140 to fourthweak seal 146 is broken, the aperture 60 interconnects the inside ofthose of the swallowing-aid substance chamber 30, the intermediatechamber 32, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 which are interconnectedwith the apertured space 38, with the outside of those spaces.

The portion between the swallowing-aid substance chamber 30 and theintermediate chamber 32 is partitioned by a first weak seal 140. Theportion between the intermediate chamber 32 and the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34 is partitioned by a second weak seal 142. Theportion between the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 is partitioned by a thirdweak seal 144. The portion between the second pharmaceutical compositionchamber 36 and the apertured space 38 is partitioned by a fourth weakseal 146. The first weak seal 140, the second weak seal 142, the thirdweak seal 144 and the fourth weak seal 146 (these are referred to as“first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146”) are disposed in theportions between two adjoining spaces of the spaces provided in thecontainer body 20.

The strength of the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146 isweaker than the strength of the bottom strong seal 160 and the sidestrong seal 162. The bottom strong seal 160 is the portion on theboundary between the container body 20 and the cover 22 where thesurfaces of the laminated members 50 are adhered to each other. The sidestrong seal 162 is the portion where the surfaces of the laminatedmembers 50 are adhered to each other excluding the first weak seal 140to fourth weak seal 146 and the bottom strong seal 160. In the case ofthis embodiment, the strength of the first weak seal 140 to fourth weakseal 146 is such that the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146can be broken by the pressure of the swallowing-aid substance 40 (thispressure being caused by the application of force by an adult personfrom the outside of the swallowing-aid substance chamber 30). Thespecific method for breaking the portion between the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 30 and the intermediate chamber 32, the portionbetween the intermediate chamber 32 and the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34, the portion between the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber36 and the portion between the second pharmaceutical composition chamber36 and the apertured space 38 is not limited to breaking by means ofpressure from the swallowing-aid substance 40. For example, the firstweak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146 may also be ripped apart byholding one of the two laminated members 50 in each hand and pulling thelaminated members apart.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 10 of this embodiment. The configuration of the laminatedmember 50 and the configuration of the first weak seal 140 to fourthweak seal 146 will be explained while referring to FIGS. 1 and 3. Thelaminated member 50 of this embodiment comprises an outer skin member100, an intermediate member 102 and a sealing member 104 (note that thisthree-layered structure of the laminated member 50 is not depicted (isomitted) in FIG. 2). The sealing members 104 and 104 of two laminatedmembers 50 are fusion-bonded to each other. This fusion-bonded portionis broken prior to the outer skin member 100 and the intermediate member102 by force applied from the outside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 10. Compared to the fusing point of the outer skin member 100and the fusing point of the intermediate member 102, the fusing point ofthe sealing member 104 is low. For this reason, the sealing member 104melts before the outer skin member 100 and the intermediate member 102melt when heat is applied to the laminated member 50 from the outside ofthe outer skin member 100. Since the sealing member 104 melts before theouter skin member 100 and the intermediate member 102 melt, it ispossible to fusion-bond only the sealing member 104. These fusion-bondedportions are the first weak seal 104 to fourth weak seal 146. FIG. 3shows only the fourth weak seal 146.

The material of those portions of the sealing member 104 that correspondto the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146 is different from thematerial of those portions of the sealing member 104 that correspond tothe bottom strong seal 160 and the side strong seal 162 (however, thematerial of the outer skin member 100 and the material of theintermediate member 102 are the same between the portion correspondingto the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146 and the portioncorresponding to the bottom strong seal 160 and the side strong seal162). Since the materials are different, it is possible to make thestrength of the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal 146 weaker thanthe strength of the bottom strong seal 160 and the side strong seal 162.As a side note, in this embodiment, the material of the outer skinmember 100 is polyethylene terephthalate. The material of theintermediate member 102 is nylon. The material of those portions of thesealing member 104 which correspond to the first weak seal 140 to fourthweak seal 146 is polyethylene.

FIG. 4 shows the production procedure for the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 10 of this embodiment. The production procedure for thepharmaceutical composition container 10 will be explained whilereferring to FIG. 4. In the first step, the two laminated members 50 and50 are superposed on each other and the portion corresponding to theside of the pharmaceutical composition container 10 is heated. Thereby,as is shown in FIG. 4 (A), the side strong seal 162 is formed. In thesecond step, the periphery of the intermediate chamber 32 on thelaminated member 50 is heated. Thereby, as is shown in FIG. 4 (B), thefirst weak seal 140 and the second weak seal 142 are formed. In thethird step, the first encapsulating item 42 is inserted between the twolaminated members 50 and 50, as is shown in FIG. 4 (C). In the fourthstep, the periphery of the portion between the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 34 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber36 on the laminated member 50 is heated. Thereby, as is shown in FIG. 4(D), the third weak seal 144 is formed. In the fifth step, the secondencapsulating item 44 is inserted between the two laminated members 50and 50, as is shown in FIG. 4 (E). In the sixth step, the periphery ofthe portion between the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 andthe apertured space 38 on the laminated member 50 is heated. Thereby, asis shown in FIG. 4 (F), the fourth weak seal 146 is formed. In theseventh step, the swallowing-aid substance 40 is filled between the twolaminated members 50 and 50. At this time, first, the portion of thefirst weak seal 140 on the container body 20 is folded over, and theswallowing-aid substance chamber 30 is oriented upwards. When theswallowing-aid substance chamber 30 is oriented upwards, a nozzle, whichis not shown in the drawing, is inserted into the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 30 to fill in the swallowing-aid substance 40. In theeighth step, the boundary portion between the container body 20 and thecover 22 is heated. Thereby, as is shown in FIG. 4 (G), the bottomstrong seal 160 is formed. In the ninth step, the boundary portionbetween the container body 20 and the cover 22 is folded over as shownin FIG. 4 (H), and then the portion of the container body 20 which formsthe apertured space 38 is inserted between the cover 22. Thepharmaceutical composition container 10 which is completed through thesesteps is packed into a carton box which is not shown in the drawings,and distributed.

FIG. 5 shows the usage method of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 10 of this embodiment. The procedure for taking the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition82 out of the pharmaceutical composition container 10 and ingesting thefirst pharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition 82 will be explained while referring to FIG. 5.

First, the caretaker etc. pulls the tip portion of the container body 20out of the cover 22, thereby bringing the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 10, which had been in the state shown in FIG. 4 (H), into thestate shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 (G). Next, the caretaker etc. pressesthe swallowing-aid substance chamber 30 from the outside of thepharmaceutical composition container 10 to break the first weak seal 140by means of the pressure from inside the swallowing-aid substancechamber 30. When the first weak seal 140 is broken, the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 is pushed out into the intermediate chamber 32. Theswallowing-aid substance 40 that was pushed out fills the inside of theintermediate chamber 32.

When the caretaker etc. continues to press the swallowing-aid substancechamber 30 from the outside of the pharmaceutical composition container10 in this state, the second weak seal 142 is broken by the pressure ofthe swallowing-aid substance 40 inside the intermediate chamber 32. Atthis time, the caretaker etc. folds the cover 22 towards the containerbody 20. When the second weak seal 142 is broken, the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 is pushed out into the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 34. The swallowing-aid substance 40 that was pushed out fillsthe inside of the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 34. From thistime, the surface of the first encapsulating item 42 starts to melt inthe swallowing-aid substance 40.

After the swallowing-aid substance 40 is pushed out into the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 34, the caretaker etc. lets thepatient 200 put the pharmaceutical composition container 10 into themouth. When the pharmaceutical composition container 10 is taken intothe mouth, the patient 200 folds the cover 22, which was folded backtowards the container body 20, further towards the container 20 andsqueezes the container body 20 and the cover 22. Thereby, pressure isapplied to the swallowing-aid substance 40. As a result from thepressure applied to the swallowing-aid substance 40, the third weak seal144 breaks. When the third weak seal 144 is broken, the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 is pushed out together with the first encapsulating item 42into the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36. Theswallowing-aid substance 40 that was pushed out fills the inside of thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 36. From this time, thesurface of the second encapsulating item 44 also starts to melt in theswallowing-aid substance 40.

After the swallowing-aid substance 40 is pushed out into the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36, the patient 200 folds back thecontainer body 20 and the cover 22 from the swallowing-aid substancechamber 30 further towards the second pharmaceutical composition chamber36 and further squeezes same. Thereby, pressure is applied to theswallowing-aid substance 40. As a result from the pressure applied tothe swallowing-aid substance 40, the fourth weak seal 146 breaks. Whenthe fourth weak seal 146 is broken, the swallowing-aid substance 40, thefirst encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 arepushed out into the apertured space 38. The swallowing-aid substance 40,the first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 areswallowed via the apertured space 38 and the mouth of the patient 200.At this time, the surfaces of the first encapsulating item 42 and thesecond encapsulating item 44 have melted in the ingredients of theswallowing-aid substance 40; therefore the surfaces of the firstencapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 are nowslippery. Because the surfaces of the first encapsulating item 42 andthe second encapsulating item 44 are slippery, the first encapsulatingitem 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 are swallowed smoothly.

In this way, the pharmaceutical composition container 10 of thisembodiment produces the following eight effects. The first effect isthat it is possible to easily swallow the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82. The secondeffect is that, if the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition 82 have a bitter taste, that bittertaste is suppressed. The third effect is that it is possible to suppressthe scattering of the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82 in the mouth. The fourth effect is thatconcerns regarding the stability of the first pharmaceutical compositionand the second pharmaceutical composition 82 become unnecessary. Thefifth effect is that it is possible to let patients with swallowingdifficulties ingest solids of various types. The sixth effect is that itis possible to improve the cleanliness during the ingestion of the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition82. The seventh effect is that it is possible to smoothly push out thefirst encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44. Theeighth effect is that it is possible to reduce the residual quantity ofthe pharmaceutical compositions 80 and 82 inside the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 10 (in this embodiment, it is possible to reducethe residual quantity close to zero).

The first effect will now be explained in detail. The firstencapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 enter themouth of the patient 200 while being enclosed in the swallowing-aidsubstance 40. At this time, the surfaces of the first encapsulating item42 and the second encapsulating item 44 have melted. The firstencapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 can easily beswallowed even by a person with swallowing difficulties because thefirst encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 areenclosed in the swallowing-aid substance 40 and the surfaces thereofhave melted. Since the pharmaceutical composition 80 is inside the firstencapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44, the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition82 are also swallowed when the first encapsulating item 42 and thesecond encapsulating item 44 are swallowed. Thereby it is possible toeasily swallow the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82.

The second effect will now be explained in detail. As mentioned above,the first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44enter the mouth of the patient 200 while being enclosed in theswallowing-aid substance 40. Thereby the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82, which arethe content of the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44, are doubly enclosed by the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 and by the first encapsulating item 42 and secondencapsulating item 44. Even if the first pharmaceutical composition 80and the second pharmaceutical composition 82 are drugs, the probabilitythat the tongue of the patient 200 senses the bitterness thereof is lowbecause the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82 are doubly enclosed. As a result, thebitter taste of the drugs is suppressed.

The third effect will now be explained in detail. As mentioned above,the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition 82 are doubly enclosed by the swallowing-aid substance 40and by the first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item44. This reduces the probability that the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82 scatter inthe mouth of the patient 200. As a result, it is possible to suppressthe scattering of the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82 in the mouth.

The fourth effect will now be explained in detail. The firstpharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition82 are chemical substances. When chemical substances come into contactwith each other, chemical reactions occur in many cases. Due to theoccurrence of chemical reactions, the effect of the pharmaceuticalcomposition as a drug is lost. For this reason, it is not possible topreserve a plurality of pharmaceutical compositions in a mixed state inmany cases. If the pharmaceutical compositions are to be preserved in amixed state, it is necessary to research in advance whether the chemicalsubstances lose their effects. The pharmaceutical composition container10 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of spaces. Storingone type of pharmaceutical composition in each of those spaces issubstantially identical with separately preserving a plurality ofpharmaceutical compositions. This is the reason why concerns regardingthe stability of the pharmaceutical composition are unnecessary when thepharmaceutical composition container 10 of this embodiment is used.Since concerns regarding the stability of the pharmaceutical compositionare unnecessary, the advance research on whether the pharmacologicaleffects of the plurality of pharmaceutical compositions are lost alsobecomes unnecessary.

The fifth effect will now be explained in detail. As the swallowing-aidsubstance 40, the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44 are swallowed after the swallowing-aid substance40 is sequentially guided to the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 34 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36, theactivity of the first pharmaceutical composition 80 and the secondpharmaceutical composition 82 per se will not have a significant effecton the difficulty or easiness of swallowing any more. Thereby it ispossible to let patients with swallowing difficulties ingest solids ofvarious types.

The sixth effect will now be explained in detail. Before thepharmaceutical composition container 10 is used, the portion of thecontainer body that forms the apertured space 38 is covered by the cover22. This reduces the frequency at which bacteria etc. adhere to theportion of the container body 20 that forms the apertured space 38. Thefrequency at which bacteria etc. adhere is reduced particularly incomparison with the case where the portion of the container body 20which comes into contact with the mouth is broken to form the aperture.In the case where the portion of the container body 20 which comes intocontact with the mouth is broken to form the aperture, it is necessaryto touch that portion with a tool or hand when breaking that portion. Atthis time, it is possible that bacteria or viruses adhering to the toolor hand are adhered to that portion. In the case of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 10 of this embodiment, the swallowing-aidsubstance 40, the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44 can be swallowed upon breaking the first weak seal140 to fourth weak seal 146; therefore it is not necessary to touch,with a tool or hand, the portion of the container body 20 which comesinto contact with the mouth and thus the probability that bacteria orviruses adhere thereto is reduced. As a result, it is possible toimprove the cleanliness during the ingestion of the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82.

The seventh effect will now be explained in detail. The end of the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 34 on the side of the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36 becomes narrower towards thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 36, and the firstencapsulating item 42 is stored in the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 34; therefore it is possible to smoothly push out the firstencapsulating item 42 by means of the swallowing-aid substance 40. Theend of the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 on the side ofthe apertured space 38 becomes narrower towards the apertured space 38,and the second encapsulating item 44 is stored in the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36; therefore this secondencapsulating item 44 is also pushed out smoothly in the same way.

The eighth effect will now be explained in detail. When theswallowing-aid substance 40, the first encapsulating item 42 and thesecond encapsulating item 44 are pushed out of the aperture 60, thefirst pharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition 82 therein are pushed out at the same time. Thissignificantly reduces the residual quantity of the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82 in the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 36 as compared to the case where the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition82 are not inside the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44. Moreover, the first encapsulating item 42 and thesecond encapsulating item 44 of this embodiment are tightly sealed.Since the first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item44 are tightly sealed, the probability that the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82 leak fromthe first encapsulating item 42 and the second encapsulating item 44 isextremely low. Since this probability is extremely low, it is possibleto reduce the residual quantity of the first pharmaceutical composition80 and the second pharmaceutical composition 82 remaining inside thepharmaceutical composition container 10 (actually, it is possible toreduce the residual quantity close to zero).

Embodiment 2

The following explains the pharmaceutical composition container 210 ofthe embodiment 2 of this invention. Note that items which are identicalwith those explained in the embodiment 1 are given identical referencenumerals. In this embodiment, the detailed explanation thereof will notbe repeated.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 210 of this embodiment. The configuration of thepharmaceutical composition container 210 of this embodiment will beexplained while referring to FIG. 6. The pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 210 of this embodiment is equipped with a container body 220and a cover 222. The container body 220 is formed by one laminatedmember 50 that is folded and has the outer periphery adhered together.The cover 222 is formed from a laminated member 50 same as the containerbody 220. The cover 222 is integrated with the container body 220. InFIG. 6, the hatched portion at the left end of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 210 shows a cross section of the laminated member50.

The container body 220 comprises a swallowing-aid substance chamber 230,a pharmaceutical composition chamber 232 and an apertured space 234. Theswallowing-aid substance chamber 230 and the pharmaceutical compositionchamber 232 are so formed as to maintain air tightness with respect tothe external space around the pharmaceutical composition container 210.

A swallowing-aid substance 40 is stored inside the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 230. A first encapsulating item 42 is stored insidethe pharmaceutical composition chamber 232. A first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 is encapsulated inside the first encapsulating item 42.Further, the apertured space 234 is an empty chamber until the firstweak seal 240 and the second weak seal 242, which will be explainedlater, are broken.

Note that, if necessary, a gas which does not have any effect on thefirst pharmaceutical composition 80 or the swallowing-aid substance 40is filled into the swallowing-aid substance chamber 230 and thepharmaceutical composition chamber 232.

The portion between the swallowing-aid substance chamber 230 and thepharmaceutical composition chamber 232 is partitioned by a first weakseal 240. The portion between the pharmaceutical composition chamber 232and the apertured space 234 is partitioned by a second weak seal 242.The first weak seal 240 and the second weak seal 242 are disposed in theportions corresponding to the portions between two adjoining spaces ofthe spaces formed by the container body 220.

The strength of the first weak seal 240 and the second weak seal 242 isweaker than the strength of the bottom strong seal 260 and the sidestrong seal 262. The bottom strong seal 260 is the portion on theboundary between the container body 220 and the cover 222 where thesurfaces of the laminated members 50 are adhered to each other. The sidestrong seal 262 is the portion where the surfaces of the laminatedmember 50 are adhered to each other excluding the first weak seal 240,the second weak seal 242 and the bottom strong seal 260. In the case ofthis embodiment, the strength of the first weak seal 240 and the secondweak seal 242 is such that the first weak seal 240 and the second weakseal 242 can be broken by the pressure of the swallowing-aid substance40, same as in the embodiment 1. Further, also same as in the embodiment1, the specific method for breaking the first weak seal 240 and thesecond weak seal 242 is not limited to breaking by means of the pressurefrom the swallowing-aid substance 40.

The configuration of the first weak seal 240 and the second weak seal242 is the same as the configuration of the first weak seal 140 tofourth weak seal 146 of the embodiment 1. Further, the configuration ofthe bottom strong seal 260 and the side strong seal 262 is the same asthat of the bottom strong seal 160 and the side strong seal 162 of theembodiment 1. Accordingly, a detailed explanation thereof will not berepeated here.

In this embodiment, the two corners of the portion corresponding to thetip of the apertured space 234 of the container body 220 are foldedover. However, to make the configuration of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 210 easy to grasp, FIG. 6 shows a state where onlyone of those corners is folded over. Those two corners are folded overin order to facilitate the insertion of the portion corresponding to thetip of the apertured space 234 into the cover 222 in the same way as inthe embodiment 1. Accordingly, if there is no particular problem, onlyone of those two corners may be folded over.

The production method and usage method of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 210 of this embodiment is the same as the production methodand usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 10 of theembodiment 1. Accordingly, a detailed explanation thereof will not berepeated here.

In this way, the pharmaceutical composition container 210 of thisembodiment produces the following six effects. The first effect is thatit is possible to easily swallow the first pharmaceutical composition80. The second effect is that, if the first pharmaceutical composition80 has a bitter taste, that bitter taste is suppressed. The third effectis that it is possible to suppress the scattering of the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 in the mouth. The fourth effect is that itis possible to let patients with swallowing difficulties ingest solidsof various types. The fifth effect is that it is possible to improve thecleanliness during the ingestion of the first pharmaceutical composition80. The reasons why those effects are produced are the same as in thecase of the embodiment 1, and therefore a detailed explanation thereofwill not be repeated here. The sixth effect is that it is possible toreduce the residual quantity of the pharmaceutical composition 80 insidethe pharmaceutical composition container 210 (in this embodiment, it ispossible to reduce the residual quantity close to zero).

Embodiment 3

The following explains the pharmaceutical composition container 310 ofthe embodiment 3 of this invention. Note that items which are identicalwith those explained in the embodiments 1 and 2 are given identicalreference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailed explanation thereofwill not be repeated.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 310 of this embodiment. The configuration of thepharmaceutical composition container 310 of this embodiment will beexplained while referring to FIG. 7. The pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 310 of this embodiment is equipped with a container body 320and a cover 322. The container body 220 is formed by melt-bonding theouter edge of two laminated members 50. The cover 222 is separate fromthe container body 220. The sheet forming the cover 222 in thisembodiment is formed of a known resin.

The container body 320 comprises a bag storage chamber 330, a firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 334, a second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 336 and an apertured space 338. The bag storagechamber 330, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 334 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 336 are so formed as tomaintain air tightness with respect to the external space around thecontainer body 320.

An aid-substance storage bag 340 is stored inside the bag storagechamber 330. The aid-substance storage bag 340 is fixed inside the bagstorage chamber 330 by means of the circumferential strong seal 462,which will be explained later.

A swallowing-aid substance 40 is stored inside the aid-substance storagebag 340. On the aid-substance storage bag 340, the strength of the endfacing the first weak seal 440, which will be explained later, has thesame structure as that of the first weak seal 140 to fourth weak seal146 of the embodiment 1. Accordingly, this portion can be broken by thepressure of the swallowing-aid substance 40. The swallowing-aidsubstance 40 is sterilized together with the aid-substance storage bag340 and then sandwiched in the container body 320. After that, thecircumferential strong seal 462 is formed, whereby the aid-substancestorage bag 340 is adhered inside the circumferential strong seal 462.

A first encapsulating item 42 is stored inside the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 334. A first pharmaceutical composition 80 isencapsulated inside the first encapsulating item 42. A powder drug 344is stored inside the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 336. Theapertured space 338 in this embodiment is an empty chamber until thefirst weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 are broken.

The portion between the bag storage chamber 330 and the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 334 is partitioned by a first weakseal 440. The portion between the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 334 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 336 ispartitioned by a second weak seal 442. The portion between the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 336 and the apertured space 338 ispartitioned by a third weak seal 444. The first weak seal 440, thesecond weak seal 442 and the third weak seal 444 (these are referred toas “first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444”) are disposed in theportions between two adjoining spaces of the spaces formed by thecontainer body 320.

The strength of the first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 is weakerthan the strength of the circumferential strong seal 462. Thecircumferential strong seal 462 is the portion where the edge of thecontainer body 320 is adhered. In the case of this embodiment, thestrength of the first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 is such thatthe first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 can be broken by thepressure of the swallowing-aid substance 40, same as in the embodiments1 and 2. Same as in the embodiments 1 and 2, the specific method forbreaking the first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 is not limitedto breaking by means of the pressure from the swallowing-aid substance40.

The configuration of the first weak seal 440 to third weak seal 444 isthe same as the configuration of the first weak seal 140 to fourth weakseal 146 of the embodiment 1. Further, the configuration of thecircumferential strong seal 462 is the same as that of the side strongseal 162 of the embodiment 1. Accordingly, a detailed explanationthereof will not be repeated here.

The production procedure for the pharmaceutical composition container310 of this embodiment will now be explained. In the first step, twosheets of a laminated member 50 are superposed on each other and theouter edge thereof is heated. However, no heat is applied to the portionwhere the aid-substance storage bag 340 is to be sandwiched. In thesecond step, the periphery of the first weak seal 440 on the laminatedmember 50 is heated. Thereby, the first weak seal 440 is formed. In thethird step, the first encapsulating item 42 is inserted between thelaminated members 50. In the fourth step, the periphery of the portionbetween the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 334 and the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 336 on the laminated member 50 isheated. Thereby the second weak seal 442 is formed. In the fifth step,the powder drug 344 is filled between the laminated member 50. In thesixth step, the periphery of the portion between the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 336 and the apertured space 338 onthe laminated member 50 is heated. Thereby the third weak seal 444 isformed. In the seventh step, the aid-substance storage bag 340 isinserted between the laminated member 50. At this time, first, theportion of the first weak seal 440 on the container body 320 is foldedover, and the bag storage chamber 330 is oriented upwards. When the bagstorage chamber 330 is oriented upwards, the aperture on the bag storagechamber 330 is opened widely and the aid-substance storage bag 340 isinserted thereinto. In the eighth step, the portion on the outer edge ofthe container body 320 where the aid-substance storage bag 340 issandwiched is heated. In the ninth step, the cover 322 is placed overthe outer side of the portion of the container body 320 which forms theapertured space 338. The pharmaceutical composition container 310 whichis completed through these steps is packed into a carton box which isnot shown in the drawings, and distributed.

The usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 310 of thisembodiment is the same as the usage method of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 10 of the embodiment 1 except for the fact thatfirst the cover 322 is removed from the portion of the container body320 which forms the apertured space 338. Accordingly, a detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated here.

In this way, the pharmaceutical composition container 310 of thisembodiment produces the following five effects. The first effect is thatit is possible to easily swallow a granular drug or anotherpharmaceutical composition 80. The second effect is that, if the firstpharmaceutical composition 80 has a bitter taste, that bitter taste issuppressed. The third effect is that concerns regarding the stability ofthe drug become unnecessary. The fourth effect is that it is possible toimprove the cleanliness during the ingestion of the first pharmaceuticalcomposition 80 and the powder drug 344. The fifth effect is that it ispossible to reduce the residual quantity of the pharmaceuticalcompositions 80 and 82 inside the pharmaceutical composition container310 (in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the residual quantityclose to zero). The reasons why those effects are produced are the sameas in the case of the embodiment 1, and therefore a detailed explanationthereof will not be repeated here.

Embodiment 4

The following explains the pharmaceutical composition container 510 ofthe embodiment 4 of this invention. Note that items which are identicalwith those explained in the embodiments 1 and 2 are given identicalreference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailed explanation thereofwill not be repeated.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 510 of this embodiment. The configuration of thepharmaceutical composition container 510 of this embodiment will beexplained while referring to FIG. 8. The pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 510 of this embodiment is equipped with a container body 520and a cover 522, which is integrated with the container body 520. Sameas in the embodiment 2, the container body 520 and the cover 522 of thisembodiment are formed by double-folding one laminated member 50 andadhering the outer peripheries thereof. In FIG. 8, the hatched portionat the right end of the pharmaceutical composition container 510 shows across section of the laminated member 50.

The container body 520 is equipped with a swallowing-aid substancechamber 530, an intermediate chamber 532, a first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 534, a second pharmaceutical composition chamber 536and an apertured space 538. The swallowing-aid substance chamber 530,the intermediate chamber 532, the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 534 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 536 are soformed as to maintain air tightness with respect to the external spacearound the pharmaceutical composition container 510. The cover 522 cancover the outside of the portion of the container body 520 which formsthe apertured space 538.

A third pharmaceutical composition 84 is stored inside the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 534. The third pharmaceuticalcomposition 84 is a medicinal powder. A fourth pharmaceuticalcomposition 86 is stored inside the second pharmaceutical compositionchamber 536. The fourth pharmaceutical composition 86 is a medicinalpowder of a type that is different to that of the third pharmaceuticalcomposition 84. Naturally, it is needless to say that the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 534 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 536 may also store a granular drug or anothersubstance.

Note that, if necessary, a gas which does not have any effect on thethird pharmaceutical composition 84, the fourth pharmaceuticalcomposition 86 and the swallowing-aid substance 40, is filled into theswallowing-aid substance chamber 530, the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 534 and the second pharmaceutical compositionchamber 536.

The intermediate chamber 532 and the apertured space 538 are emptychambers until the first weak seal 640 to fourth weak seal 646 arebroken. The apertured space 538 comprises an aperture.

The portion between the swallowing-aid substance chamber 530 and theintermediate chamber 532 is partitioned by a first weak seal 640. Theportion between the intermediate chamber 532 and the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 534 is partitioned by a second weakseal 642. The portion between the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 534 and the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 536 ispartitioned by a third weak seal 644. The portion between the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 536 and the apertured space 538 ispartitioned by a fourth weak seal 646.

The strength of the first weak seal 640 to fourth weak seal 646 isweaker than the strength of the bottom strong seal 660 and the sidestrong seal 662. In the case of this embodiment, the strength of thefirst weak seal 640 to fourth weak seal 646 is such that the first weakseal 640 to fourth weak seal 646 can be broken by the pressure of theswallowing-aid substance 40 (this pressure being caused by theapplication of force by an adult person from the outside of theswallowing-aid substance chamber 30). The specific method for breakingthe portion between the swallowing-aid substance chamber 530 and theintermediate chamber 532, the portion between the intermediate chamber532 and the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 534, the portionbetween the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 534 and the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 536 and the portion between thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 536 and the apertured space538 is not limited to breaking by means of pressure from theswallowing-aid substance 40.

The usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 510 of thisembodiment is the same as the usage method of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 10 of the embodiment 1. Accordingly, a detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated here.

In this way, the pharmaceutical composition container 510 of thisembodiment produces the following four effects. The first effect is thatit is possible to easily swallow a medicinal powder or anotherpharmaceutical composition. The second effect is that concerns regardingthe stability of the drug become unnecessary. The third effect is that,because a step is provided on the portion of the side strong seal 662that is adjacent to the third weak seal 644, the tip of thepharmaceutical composition container 510 is prevented from entering themouth of the patient 200 too far during the ingestion of apharmaceutical composition using the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 510 of this embodiment. The fourth effect is that it ispossible to improve the cleanliness during the ingestion of the thirdpharmaceutical composition 84 and the fourth pharmaceutical composition86.

Embodiment 5

The following explains the pharmaceutical composition container 710 ofthe embodiment 5 of this invention. Note that items which are identicalwith those explained in the embodiments 1 to 4 were given identicalreference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailed explanation thereofwill not be repeated.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 710 of this embodiment. The pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 710 of this embodiment is equipped with a container body 820and a cover 822, which is integrated with the container body 820. Sameas in the embodiments 1 and 3, the pharmaceutical composition container710 is formed by adhering two laminated members 50 to each other.

The container body 820 comprises a swallowing-aid substance chamber 830,a first pharmaceutical composition chamber 834 and an apertured space838. The swallowing-aid substance chamber 830 and the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 834 are so formed as to maintain airtightness with respect to the external space around the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 710.

A third pharmaceutical composition 84 is stored inside the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 834. It is needless to say that thefirst pharmaceutical composition chamber 834 may also store a granulardrug or another substance.

If necessary, a gas which does not have any effect on the thirdpharmaceutical composition 84 and the swallowing-aid substance 40 isfilled into the swallowing-aid substance chamber 830 and the firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 834.

The apertured space 838 is an empty chamber until the first weak seal840 and the second weak seal 842 are broken. The apertured space 838comprises an aperture.

The portion between the swallowing-aid substance chamber 830 and thefirst pharmaceutical composition chamber 834 is partitioned by a firstweak seal 840. The portion between the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 834 and the apertured space 838 is partitioned by a second weakseal 842.

The strength of the first weak seal 840 and the second weak seal 842 isweaker than the strength of the bottom strong seal 860 and the sidestrong seal 862.

The usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 710 of thisembodiment is the same as the usage method of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 10 of the embodiment 1. Accordingly, a detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated here.

In this way, the pharmaceutical composition container 710 of thisembodiment produces the following three effects. The first effect isthat it is possible to easily swallow a medicinal powder or anotherpharmaceutical composition. The second effect is that concerns regardingthe stability of the drug become unnecessary. The third effect is thatit is possible to improve the cleanliness during the ingestion of thethird pharmaceutical composition 84.

Embodiment 6

The following explains embodiment 6 of this invention. Note that itemswhich are identical with those explained in the embodiment 1 are givenidentical reference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated.

<Explanation of the Structure>

FIG. 10 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260 of this embodiment. The pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260 of this embodiment is formed by double-folding one sheetmade of a synthetic resin (low-density polyethylene, PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) or another resin that is soft so as to be foldable and isheat-sealable, like composite resin), adhering the ends of thedouble-folded sheet to each other and aligning the outer shape bycutting the adhered portion.

The portion where the ends of the sheet are adhered to each other is theside strong seal 270. The inside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260 is provided with a plurality of spaces. The portionsbetween the plurality of spaces are sealed by a first weak seal 300, asecond weak seal 302 and a third weak seal 304. The first weak seal 300comprises a first zone 311, an intermediate chamber 312 and a secondzone 314.

One of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical composition container 260 isthe swallowing-aid substance chamber 280. A swallowing-aid substance 40is stored inside the swallowing-aid substance chamber 280. When force isapplied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from the outside of thepharmaceutical composition container 260, the first zone 311 of thefirst weak seal 300 easily opens by means of the pressure received fromthe swallowing-aid substance 40. When the first zone 311 opens, theswallowing-aid substance 40 is pushed out into the intermediate chamber312. Thereafter, the second zone 314, the second weak seal 302 and thethird weak seal 304 sequentially open in the same way. This can berealized because the strength of the first weak seal 300, the secondweak seal 302 and the third weak seal 304 is weak compared to that ofthe side strong seal 270.

In one type of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 282 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 284 exist. The firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 282 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 284 store a first encapsulating item 212 or a secondencapsulating item 213. The pharmaceutical composition encapsulated bythe first encapsulating item 212 stored in the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 282 and the pharmaceutical composition encapsulatedby the second encapsulating item 213 stored in the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 284 are of different types.

One of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical composition container 260also contains an apertured space 286. The apertured space 286 isprovided on one end of the pharmaceutical composition container 260 andserves as the chute (in other words, the device for dropping the firstencapsulating item 212 and the second encapsulating item 213 into themouth of the patient) for the ingestion of the first encapsulating item212 and the second encapsulating item 213.

Of the two ends of the pharmaceutical composition container 260, the endon the opposite side of the end on which the apertured space 286 isprovided, is the cover 288. The boundary between the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 280 and the cover 288 is the bottom strong seal 272.The strength of the bottom strong seal 272 is the same as that of theside strong seal 270; therefore the bottom strong seal 272 is not brokeneven when force is applied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from theoutside of the pharmaceutical composition container 260. Note that, inthe explanation of the pharmaceutical composition container 260 of thisembodiment, the portion which is more to the side of the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 284 than the cover 288 is referred toas the “container body.”

FIG. 11 is an overview of the portion of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260 of this embodiment which corresponds to the rear surfacewhen viewed as shown in FIG. 10. As is obvious from FIG. 11, a label 262is adhered to the pharmaceutical composition container 260 of thisembodiment.

<Features Unique to this Embodiment>

The features unique to the pharmaceutical composition container 260 ofthis embodiment as compared to the pharmaceutical composition containersof the other embodiments are that: the cover 288 is disposed on one endand a cover insert portion 321 which is inserted into this cover 288 isdisposed on the other end; the width of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 260 is larger on the base 331 of the portion which is insertedinto the cover 238; the bottom strong seal 272 and a portion of thesecond weak seal 302 or a portion of the third weak seal 304 are foldedover to insert the tip of the cover insert portion 321 into the cover288, and the base 331 is on the outside of the cover 288. FIG. 12 showsthe state where the cover insert portion 321 is inserted into the cover238 and the base 331 is on the outside of the cover 238. As is obviousfrom FIG. 12, the portion of the base 331 is depressed; therefore it ispossible to easily to pull out the cover insert portion 321 by insertinga finger thereinto. FIG. 13 is a view of the portion which correspondsto the rear surface when viewed as shown in FIG. 12, in the state shownin FIG. 12. The major part of the rear surface of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 260 is occupied by the label 262.

<Usage Method>

When using the pharmaceutical composition 260 of this embodiment, afinger is engaged with the abovementioned base 331 and theabovementioned cover insert portion 321 is pulled out of the cover 238in this state. When the cover insert portion 321 is pulled out, thecover insert portion 321 is placed into the mouth of the patient. Thesubsequent usage method is the same as in the other embodiments oralternative embodiments thereof.

<Explanation of the Effect>

With the pharmaceutical composition container 260 of this embodiment,the cover insert portion 321 can easily be pulled out because a fingercan be engaged with the base 331 of the cover insert portion 321.

Further, the pharmaceutical composition container 260 of this embodimentproduces the same effects like that of the embodiment 1.

Embodiment 7

The following explains embodiment 7 of this invention. Note that itemswhich are identical with those explained in the embodiment 1 are givenidentical reference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated.

<Explanation of the Structure>

FIG. 14 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 400 of this embodiment. Same as in the embodiment 6, thepharmaceutical composition container 400 of this embodiment is formed bydouble-folding one sheet made of a synthetic resin, adhering the ends ofthe double-folded sheet to each other and aligning the outer shape bycutting the adhered portion.

The portion where the ends of the sheet were adhered to each other isthe side strong seal 410. The inside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 400 is provided with a plurality of spaces. The portionsbetween the plurality of spaces are sealed by a first weak seal 441, asecond weak seal 443 and a third weak seal 445. The first weak seal 441comprises a first zone 450, an intermediate chamber 452 and a secondzone 454.

One of these spaces is the swallowing-aid substance chamber 420. Aswallowing-aid substance 40 is stored inside the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 420. When force is applied to the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 from the outside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 400, the first zone 450 and the second zone 454 sequentiallyopen in the same way as the first weak seal 300, the second weak seal302 and the third weak seal 304 in the embodiment 6. The reason why thefirst zone 450 and the second zone 454 open in this way is the same asthat in the embodiment 6.

In one type of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 400, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 422 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 424 exist. The firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 422 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 424 store a first encapsulating item 212 or a secondencapsulating item 213. The pharmaceutical composition encapsulated bythe first encapsulating item 212 stored in the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 422 and the pharmaceutical composition encapsulatedby the second encapsulating item 213 stored in the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 424 are of different types.

One of these spaces also contains an apertured space 426. Same as theapertured space 286 of the embodiment 6, the apertured space 426 servesas the chute for the ingestion of the first encapsulating item 212 andthe second encapsulating item 213.

Of the two ends of the pharmaceutical composition container 400, the endon the opposite side of the end on which the apertured space 426 isprovided, is the cover 428. The boundary between the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 420 and the cover 478 is the bottom strong seal 412.The strength of the bottom strong seal 412 is the same as that of theside strong seal 410; therefore the bottom strong seal 412 is not brokeneven when force is applied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from theoutside of the pharmaceutical composition container 400.

<Features Unique to this Embodiment>

The features unique to the pharmaceutical composition container 400 ofthis embodiment as compared with the pharmaceutical compositioncontainers of the other embodiments are that: the cover 478 is disposedon one end; the bottom strong seal 412 and the base of the portion wherethe apertured space 426 is disposed are folded over to insert theportion where the apertured space 426 is disposed into the cover 478;the tip 480 of the portion where the apertured space 426 is disposed isround; and a part of the edge 482 of the cover 478 is cut out. Notethat, in the explanation of the pharmaceutical composition container 400of this embodiment, the portion which is more to the side of the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 424 than the cover 478 is referred toas the “container body.”

<Usage Method>

When using the pharmaceutical composition 351 of this embodiment, theone of the two ends of the pharmaceutical composition container 400 onwhich the apertured space 426 is disposed is pulled out of the cover478. The subsequent usage method is the same as in the otherembodiments.

<Explanation of the Effect>

During the production of the pharmaceutical composition container 400 ofthis embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition container 400 is foldedover in such a manner that the portion where the apertured space 426 isdisposed and the cut-out edge 482 of the cover 478 face each other. FIG.15 shows the state in which pharmaceutical composition container 400 isfolded over during production. After the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 400 is folded over, the portion where the apertured space 426is disposed is inserted into the cover 478. At this time, the tip 480 ofthe portion where the apertured space 426 is disposed gets caught at anyposition of the cut-out edge 482 of the cover 478 and opens the mouth ofthe cover 478. Since the mouth of the cover 478 is opened, the tip 480smoothly enters the inside of the cover 478. FIG. 16 shows thepharmaceutical composition container 400 after the portion where theapertured space 426 is disposed is inserted into the cover 478.

Further, the pharmaceutical composition container 400 of this embodimentproduces the same effects like that of the embodiment 1.

Embodiment 8

The following explains embodiment 8 of this invention. Note that itemswhich are identical with those explained in the embodiment 1 are givenidentical reference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated.

<Explanation of the Structure>

FIG. 17 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 500 of this embodiment. Same as in the embodiment 6, thepharmaceutical composition container 500 of this embodiment is formed bydouble-folding one sheet made of a synthetic resin, adhering the ends ofthe double-folded sheet to each other and aligning the outer shape bycutting the adhered portion.

The portion where the ends of the sheet are adhered to each other is theside strong seal 511. The inside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 500 is provided with a plurality of spaces. The portionsbetween the plurality of spaces are sealed by a first weak seal 540, asecond weak seal 542 and a third weak seal 544. The first weak seal 540comprises a first zone 550, an intermediate chamber 552 and a secondzone 554.

One of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical composition container 500 isthe swallowing-aid substance chamber 521. A swallowing-aid substance 40is stored inside the swallowing-aid substance chamber 521. When force isapplied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from the outside of thepharmaceutical composition container 500, the first zone 550 and thesecond zone 554 sequentially open in the same way as the first weak seal300, the second weak seal 302 and the third weak seal 304 in theembodiment 6. The reason why the first zone 550 and the second zone 554open in this way is the same as that in the embodiment 6.

In one type of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 500, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 523 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 524 exist. The firstpharmaceutical composition chamber 523 and the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 524 store a first encapsulating item 212 or a secondencapsulating item 213. The pharmaceutical composition encapsulated bythe first encapsulating item 212 stored in the first pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 523 and the pharmaceutical composition encapsulatedby the second encapsulating item 213 stored in the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 524 are of different types.

One of these spaces also contains an apertured space 526. Same as theapertured space 286 of the embodiment 6, the apertured space 526 servesas the chute for the ingestion of the first encapsulating item 212 andthe second encapsulating item 213.

Of the two ends of the pharmaceutical composition container 500, the endon the opposite side of the end on which the apertured space 526 isprovided, is the cover 528. The boundary between the swallowing-aidsubstance chamber 521 and the cover 528 is the bottom strong seal 512.The strength of the bottom strong seal 512 is the same as that of theside strong seal 511; therefore the bottom strong seal 512 is not brokeneven when force is applied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from theoutside of the pharmaceutical composition container 500. Note that, inthe explanation of the pharmaceutical composition container 500 of thisembodiment, the portion which is more to the side of the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 524 than the cover 528 is referred toas the “container body.”

<Features Unique to this Embodiment>

FIG. 18 is a partial cross section showing one end of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 500 during the production thereof. FIG. 19 is aperspective view showing one end of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 500 during the production thereof. The features unique to thepharmaceutical composition container 500 as compared to thepharmaceutical composition containers of the other embodiments will beexplained while referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. The features thereofare that: the bottom strong seal 512 and the base of the portion wherethe apertured space 526 is disposed are folded over to insert theportion where the apertured space 526 is disposed into the cover 528;and a melt-bonding margin 514 is disposed on the tip portion 516 whichis inserted into the cover 528 on the side strong seal 511. Thismelt-bonding margin 514 is folded back like shown in FIG. 19 andmelt-bonded to the tip portion 516.

<Usage Method>

The usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 500 of thisembodiment is the same as that of the embodiment 7.

<Explanation of the Effect>

Even if there are burrs at the end of the side strong seal 511, thoseburrs do not easily touch the inside of the mouth of the patient becausethe pharmaceutical composition container 500 of this embodiment has astructure like that mentioned above. Since the burrs do not easily touchthe inside of the mouth, the mouth of the patient is not easilyscratched.

Further, the pharmaceutical composition container 500 of this embodimentproduces the same effects like that of the embodiment 1.

Embodiment 9

The following explains embodiment 9 of this invention. Note that itemswhich are identical with those explained in the embodiment 1 are givenidentical reference numerals. In this embodiment, the detailedexplanation thereof will not be repeated.

<Explanation of the Structure>

FIG. 20 is a partial cross section of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 351 of this embodiment. Same as in the embodiment 6, thepharmaceutical composition container 351 of this embodiment is formed bydouble-folding one sheet made of a synthetic resin, adhering the ends ofthe double-folded sheet to each other and aligning the outer shape bycutting the adhered portion.

The portion where the ends of the sheet are adhered to each other is theside strong seal 361. The inside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 351 is provided with a plurality of spaces. The portionsbetween the plurality of spaces are sealed by a first weak seal 390, asecond weak seal 392 and a predetermined aperture part 394. The firstweak seal 390 comprises a first zone 401, an intermediate chamber 403and a second zone 405.

One of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical composition container 351 isthe swallowing-aid substance chamber 370. A swallowing-aid substance 40is stored inside the swallowing-aid substance chamber 370. When force isapplied to the swallowing-aid substance 40 from the outside of thepharmaceutical composition container 351, the first zone 401 and thesecond zone 405 sequentially open in the same way as the first weak seal300, the second weak seal 302 and the third weak seal 304 in theembodiment 6. The reason why the first zone 401 and the second zone 405open in this way is the same as that in the embodiment 6.

In one type of the spaces inside the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 351, the first pharmaceutical composition chamber 372 and thesecond pharmaceutical composition chamber 374 exist. A firstencapsulating item 212 is stored in the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 372. A known tablet 352 is stored in the second pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber 374.

Of the two ends of the pharmaceutical composition container 351, the endon the opposite side of the end on which the predetermined aperture part394 is provided, is the cover 378. The boundary between theswallowing-aid substance chamber 370 and the cover 378 is the bottomstrong seal 362. The strength of the bottom strong seal 362 is the sameas that of the side strong seal 361; therefore the bottom strong seal362 is not broken even when force is applied to the swallowing-aidsubstance 40 from the outside of the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer 351. Note that, in the explanation of the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 351 of this embodiment, the portion which is moreto the side of the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 374 thanthe cover 378 is referred to as the “container body.”

When the production of the pharmaceutical composition container 351 ofthis embodiment is finished, the portion where the predeterminedaperture part 394 is provided is so inserted into the cover 378 as toallow being pulled out. FIG. 21 is an external view of thepharmaceutical composition container 351 at this time.

<Features Unique to this Embodiment>

The features unique to the pharmaceutical composition container 351 ascompared to the pharmaceutical composition containers of the otherembodiments are that: the portion 354 which is inserted into the cover378 is provided with a predetermined aperture part 394; and the sealstrength of that predetermined aperture part 394 is weaker than the sealstrength of the side strong seal 361.

<Usage Method>

The usage method of the pharmaceutical composition container 351 of thisembodiment is the same as that of the embodiment 7.

<Explanation of the Effect>

On the pharmaceutical composition container 351 of this embodiment, theseal strength of the predetermined aperture part 394 is weaker than theseal strength of the side strong seal 361. For this reason, thepredetermined aperture part 394 opens when the portion 354 where thepredetermined aperture part 394 is disposed is put into the mouth of thepatient and the pharmaceutical composition container 351 is squeezed.Thereby the aperture is formed. The aperture interconnects the outsideof the pharmaceutical composition container 351 with the spaces. As aresult, it is possible to put the first encapsulating item 212 and thetablet 352 into the mouth of the patient without touching the portionthat initially was inserted into the cover 378 with the hand.

Further, the pharmaceutical composition container 351 of this embodimentproduces the same effects like that of the embodiment 1.

<Explanation of Alternative Embodiments>

The abovementioned pharmaceutical composition containers 10, 210, 260,310, 351, 400, 500, 510 and 710 are presented as examples to concretizethe technical concept of this invention. The material properties of thecontainer body 20, 220 and 320 are not limited to the abovementionedembodiments. The shape of the container bodies 20, 220, 320, 520 and720, the shape of the spaces, the shape of the aperture, the dimensions,structures and positioning thereof are not limited to those mentioned inthe abovementioned embodiments. It is possible to apply various changesto the pharmaceutical composition containers 10, 210, 260, 310, 351,400, 500, 510 and 710 explained in these embodiments within the scope ofthe technical concept of this invention.

For example, the form of the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44 is not limited to the above-mentioned form. Forexample, the shape thereof may be rectangular. Further, as analternative to the first encapsulating item 42 and the secondencapsulating item 44, publicly known capsules may also be stored.

Moreover, the shape of the spaces comprised in the container bodies 20,220, 320, 520 and 720 is not particularly limited. For example, thefirst pharmaceutical composition chamber 34 and the secondpharmaceutical composition chamber 36 shown in FIG. 1 have a hexagonalshape, but these chambers may also have a triangular, quadrangular,pentagonal, heptagonal or other polygonal shape, or a circular or ovalshape. Moreover, the number of the spaces comprised in the containerbodies 20, 220 and 320 may be four or more.

In addition, a chamber of the same kind as the intermediate chamber 32of the embodiment 1 may also be disposed in the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 210 of the embodiment 2, the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 310 of the embodiment 3 or the pharmaceuticalcomposition container 710 of the embodiment 5. Furthermore, theintermediate chamber 32 in the embodiment 1 is not a mandatory space.

Moreover, the container body 20 of the embodiment 1 and the containerbody 320 of the embodiment 3 are not limited to being formed by adheringtwo sheets to each other. The container body 220 of the embodiment 2 isnot limited to being formed by adhering the outer edge of one sheet. Thecontainer body 220 of the embodiment 2 may also be formed by adheringtwo sheets to each other. The container body 20 of the embodiment 1 andthe container body 320 of the embodiment 3 may also be formed bydouble-folding one sheet and adhering the outer edges to each other.

Further, in the abovementioned embodiments, cases were explained wherethe pharmaceutical composition is a powdered or granular preparation andthe swallowing-aid substance is a jelly; however, it is needless to saythat the pharmaceutical composition and swallowing-aid substance appliedto this invention are not limited thereto. For example, apart from apowdered or granular preparation, the pharmaceutical composition may bea tablet, a capsule or a simple block. The pharmaceutical compositiondoes not have to be stored in the first pharmaceutical compositionchamber 34 or the second pharmaceutical composition chamber 36 in theform of an encapsulating item. That is to say, the pharmaceuticalcomposition does not have to be wrapped in a wafer or other wrappingmaterial. Moreover, the item formed as the pharmaceutical composition isnot limited to an item that is usually treated as a medical drug. Forexample, the item formed as the pharmaceutical composition may also be afood which is recognized for its effect of improving the health state.The swallowing-aid substance may be an aqueous solution, or may also behoney, custard cream, peanut butter, cheese spread or the like. However,it is preferable that the swallowing-aid substance have a fluidity of adegree that allows the swallowing-aid substance to move around thespaces provided in the container body in the environment where thepharmaceutical composition container is used.

On a side note, if it is confirmed that there is no change in naturewhile the medical drug is distributed or while that medical drug ispreserved, the combined drug may be stored in one pharmaceuticalcomposition chamber. The combined drug mentioned here indicates amixture.

If an encapsulating item is stored in the pharmaceutical compositioncontainer, it is possible to use, as the material for that encapsulatingitem, a wafer made of starch with a thickness of 15 μm as mentionedabove, or a variety of other materials conventionally known as ediblefilm materials. The types of these materials include polysaccharides(for example, pullulan, arabinoxylan, decomposition products of guargum, sodium alginate, carrageenan, agar-agar, pectin, cellulose, etc.)and peptide-based substances (for example, gelatin, decompositionproducts of silk protein, decomposition products of casein, etc.). Thosematerials may be used on a standalone basis or as a combination of twoor more types.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The pharmaceutical composition container of this invention is suitablefor the use as, for example, a container for the ingestion of a drug.Specifically, the pharmaceutical composition container of this inventionis suitable for the use as a container for the ingestion of a drug,wherein the drug is filled into the container by a system as mentionedbelow. Such system is one wherein a plurality of auger filling machinesare set up, a transport system and weighing system are added, thefilling machines, the transport system and the weighing system areconnected to a medical-drug production line and automatic operation isperformed over a long time.

EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10, 210, 260, 310, 351, 400, 500, 510 and 710: pharmaceutical        composition container    -   20, 220, 320, 520, 720 and 820: container body    -   22, 222, 238, 288, 378, 428, 478, 322, 522, 528 and 822: cover    -   30, 230, 370, 420, 530 and 830: swallowing-aid substance chamber    -   32 and 532: intermediate chamber    -   34, 282, 334, 372, 422, 523, 534 and 834: first pharmaceutical        composition chamber    -   36, 284, 336, 374, 424, 524 and 536: second pharmaceutical        composition chamber    -   38, 234, 286, 338, 426, 526, 538 and 838: apertured space    -   40: swallowing-aid substance    -   42 and 212: first encapsulating item    -   44 and 213: second encapsulating item    -   50: laminated member    -   60: aperture    -   80: first pharmaceutical composition    -   82: second pharmaceutical composition    -   84: third pharmaceutical composition    -   86: fourth pharmaceutical composition    -   100: outer skin member    -   102: intermediate member    -   104: sealing member    -   140, 240, 300, 390, 440, 441, 540, 640 and 840: first weak seal    -   142, 242, 302, 392, 442, 443, 542, 642 and 842: second weak seal    -   144, 304, 444, 445 and 544: third weak seal    -   146: fourth weak seal    -   160, 260, 272, 362, 412, 512, 660 and 860: bottom strong seal    -   162, 262, 270, 361, 410, 511, 662 and 862: side strong seal    -   200: patient    -   230, 280 and 521: swallowing-aid substance chamber    -   232: pharmaceutical composition chamber    -   262: label    -   311,401,450 and 550: first zone    -   312,403,452 and 552: intermediate chamber    -   314,405,454 and 554: second zone    -   321: cover insert portion    -   330: bag storage chamber    -   331: base    -   340: aid-substance storage bag    -   344: powder drug    -   352: tablet    -   394: predetermined aperture part    -   462: circumferential strong seal    -   480: tip    -   482: edge    -   516: tip portion

1. A pharmaceutical composition container equipped with at least threespaces in a container body, wherein the aforementioned pharmaceuticalcomposition container is further equipped with a cover, the portionsbetween two adjoining aforementioned spaces are sealed, theaforementioned portions between two adjoining spaces open when force isapplied thereto from the outside of the aforementioned pharmaceuticalcomposition container, at least one of the aforementioned spaces is anapertured space having an aperture, a swallowing-aid substance is storedin a swallowing-aid substance chamber which is at least one of theaforementioned spaces, a pharmaceutical composition is stored in apharmaceutical composition chamber which is at least one of theaforementioned spaces, and the portion on the aforementioned containerbody which forms the aforementioned apertured space is covered by theaforementioned cover.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition containerdescribed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned cover is integratedwith the aforementioned container body.
 3. The pharmaceuticalcomposition container described in claim 2, wherein the aforementionedat least three spaces and the aforementioned cover are so arranged as toform one row, the aforementioned apertured space is positioned on oneend of the aforementioned row, the aforementioned cover is positioned onthe other end of the aforementioned row, the aforementioned containerbody and the aforementioned cover can be folded over, and folding overthe aforementioned container body and the aforementioned cover bringsthe aforementioned aperture and the aforementioned cover into a state offacing each other.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition container describedin claim 1, wherein an encapsulating item is stored in theaforementioned pharmaceutical composition chamber, at least the surfaceof the aforementioned encapsulating item melts in the ingredients of theaforementioned swallowing-aid substance, and the aforementionedencapsulating item contains the aforementioned pharmaceuticalcomposition.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition container equipped with aplurality of spaces in a container body, wherein the aforementionedcontainer body is provided with a predetermined aperture part in whichan aperture is to be formed, the aforementioned aperture opens whenforce is applied from the outside of the aforementioned pharmaceuticalcomposition container, thereby interconnecting the outside of theaforementioned pharmaceutical composition container with theaforementioned spaces, the portions between two adjoining spaces aresealed, the aforementioned portions between two adjoining spaces openwhen force is applied from the outside of the aforementionedpharmaceutical composition container, a swallowing-aid substance isstored in a swallowing-aid substance chamber which is at least one ofthe aforementioned spaces, a pharmaceutical composition is stored in apharmaceutical composition chamber which is at least one of theaforementioned spaces, the aforementioned container body can be foldedover, the aforementioned pharmaceutical composition container is furtherequipped with a cover that is disposed so as to adjoin theaforementioned container body, is integrated with the aforementionedcontainer body and can be inserted into and pulled out of the portion onthe aforementioned container body where the aforementioned predeterminedaperture part is provided, and the aforementioned portion where thepredetermined aperture part is provided is covered by the aforementionedcover.